The medical director for surgery of the Fraser Health Authority, Dr. Peter Blair, said to The Province newspaper that it is reassuring to him that Royal Columbian Hospital’s efforts to decrease the negative effects on patients after surgery have been recognized by the NSQIP.

“It is reassuring to us and the public,” said Dr. Blair to The Province.

Dr. Blair also added in the interview that this level of service has not been easy to accomplish.

“Our work to lower rates of wound infections and deep vein thrombosis is a team effort,” said Dr. Blair in the interview. “Over the last two years, we worked on initiatives including ensuring antibiotics to prevent wound infections were given and given on time to be effective, maintaining body temperature during surgery, and protecting the wound from contamination during surgery,” said Dr. Blair to The Province.

The NSQIP rankings acts as way for all hospitals to gauge their own level of care, and make adjustments accordingly.

A full list of all North American hospitals that are a part of the NSQIP can be found here.

The Voice Online’s At Large section features blog posts on municipal beats including Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Delta and Metro Vancouver produced by Langara journalism students.